MC Alger Manager Rulani Mokwena Eyes Orlando Pirates Star Relebohile Mofokeng
MC Alger manager Rulani Mokwena has openly admitted his interest in signing Orlando Pirates attacker Relebohile Mofokeng but stressed that several barriers make the move unlikely. The 21-year-old forward caught the attention of MC Alger supporters during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he represented Bafana Bafana. Mofokeng made two appearances in the tournament, coming off the bench against Egypt in the group stage and starting in South Africa’s Round of 16 defeat to Cameroon before being substituted. His performances showcased his potential and technical ability, increasing the interest from the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 club.
Mokwena confirmed that both he and the MC Alger fanbase would love to see Mofokeng in the green and red of the Algerian giants. “I know the fans want Mofokeng. I know this, and believe me, I want Mofokeng as well,” Mokwena told reporters during a press conference, as covered by Karabo Selebalo Phasha. The South African tactician emphasized that the interest is genuine, highlighting Mofokeng’s talent and the value he could bring to the squad. However, Mokwena also clarified that a transfer is complicated and unlikely to happen in the immediate future.
The key barrier, according to Mokwena, is Mofokeng’s ambition to move to Europe. The forward has reportedly received multiple offers from clubs outside Africa and is focused on pursuing a career at the highest European level. Mokwena explained, “He’s a South African player that I speak to also about certain things in South African football but it is not a transfer – not just from a financial perspective – because I can tell you the player has had many, many offers and has set his sights on going to Europe. So it’s not a lack of ambition from the president.” This statement confirms that while MC Alger is eager to strengthen its squad, the player’s personal career goals take precedence.
Despite the challenges in signing Mofokeng, MC Alger have demonstrated ambition in the current transfer market. The club recently completed the acquisition of Chahreddine Boukholda, underlining Mokwena’s active role in shaping a competitive team. Boukholda praised Mokwena for his clear vision and belief in the player’s abilities, noting that the coach personally advocated for his signing. The move reflects MC Alger’s strategy to build a squad capable of challenging for domestic titles while positioning the club as an attractive destination for ambitious talent.
Mokwena’s leadership has also translated into results on the pitch. MC Alger secured a 1-0 victory over CS Constantine in a league match on Monday, thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Zinedine Ferhat. The win extended their lead at the top of the table to 11 points over second-placed CR Belouizdad, with the team now sitting on 35 points after 14 matches. Mokwena’s side has combined tactical discipline with effective squad management, emphasizing both immediate success and long-term squad development.
While a move for Mofokeng remains unlikely in the short term, Mokwena’s public admiration signals MC Alger’s intent to attract top talent. The manager’s reputation, combined with the club’s strategic acquisitions, highlights a clear ambition to maintain dominance in Algerian football. For Mofokeng, the priority remains a move to Europe, but the interest from MC Alger adds to his growing profile on the continent. The coming months will show whether the forward maintains his focus on Europe or if circumstances could create an opportunity for a high-profile move within Africa.
